New face of Gympie aged care

A BLOCK of land on David St off Old Maryborough Rd has been bought with plans to build a new state of the art 100-bed aged care facility.

Noel Granshaw of Mackenzie Land Developments has acquired the land and wants to invest in a new aged care facility to be jointly managed by Victory Church and Caloundra-based St Mary's Aged Care.

Victory Church business manager Justin Lippiatt said the proposal was on track for construction to hopefully start in the second quarter of next year.

All going to plan, the new aged care facility will open for residents late next year.

Mr Lippiatt said a development application was before Gympie Regional Council's Planning Department.

"We are waiting on approval at this stage," Mr Lippiatt said.

"We don't predict any problems at this stage with the application."

Mr Lippiatt said Victory Church had been considering a new aged care facility for some time.

"We were waiting for the right blend of partners for this joint venture," he said. "Getting that mix right is critical for long-term success."

The project first appeared on drawing boards six months ago when Victory Church entered talks with Mr Granshaw and St Mary's Aged Care.

"There is a growing need for aged care in Gympie," Mr Lippiatt said.

"Gympie has an aging demographic, so there is a growing need for these services."

Victory Care's business manager said the new aged care facility would not compete with similar facilities already established in the region, but provide support.

And with existing aged care facilities "fairly full", Mr Lippiatt said a new facility would help families keep loves ones near.

"People are being sent to the Coast or (the Fraser Coast region) but with this new facility, residents can stay close to family," he said.

The David St aged care facility plans to stray from an institutionalised feel in favour of a more family-based environment with high demand expected when names are taken for a waiting list on a yet to be decided date.

The major players in Gympie's new age care facility talk about the project in a video at

gympietimes.com